Arc favourite to start off at York's May meeting as owners Juddmonte plot Bluestocking path to Longchamp

Connections of Kalpana are hoping she can follow the Bluestocking path to glory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, starting with a trip to the Knavesmire for York's May meeting. 

Bluestocking was the star turn in a stellar season for owners Juddmonte last term, winning the Middleton, Pretty Polly Stakes and Prix Vermeille before her crowning moment in the Arc. 

Having retired Bluestocking after her win in Paris, Juddmonte are now looking at Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes scorer Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding, to fill the considerable void she has left, starting with the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes on May 15. Balding's filly is the 10-1 favourite for the Arc at Longchamp on October 5.

"Kalpana is in good shape and the plan would be to start off in the Middleton in York and all being well she might roll on to the Pretty Polly In Ireland after that," said Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon.

"We'll stick to a similar route to the one we went with Bluestocking last season. The Arc would be the dream. We know how hard it is to win it, so we're not getting too carried away at the minute, but of course that will be the end-of-season target. If we could clinch another Group 1 with her during the season, that would be fantastic."

Zanzoun (pink cap) wins the Nell Gwyn at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Mahon also had news on another exciting filly within the Juddmonte ranks, with impressive Nell Gwyn scorer Zanzoun being prepared for the French Guineas at Longchamp on May 11. 

"What she did at Newmarket was a surprise considering she had an official rating of 83, but we held her in high regard last year and it just took her a while to get the job done," said Mahon.  

"She would prefer a little bit more ease in the ground and it was never going to rain enough before the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Desert Flower looks pretty outstanding in that race, so we said we'd go for the French 1,000 Guineas next."

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, October 5)
William Hill: 10 Kalpana, 12 Aventure, 14 Sosie, Zarigana, 20 Twain, 25 The Lion In Winter, Danon Decile, Map Of Stars, Field Of Gold, Los Angeles, Kyprios, 33 bar

Read more . . .

Andre Fabre reveals big summer plans for Sosie after beaten Arc favourite returns with a bang in first European Group 1 of the year 

Trip to Ireland on the agenda for Arc runner-up Aventure after returning in style in Group 3 

Aidan O'Brien 'over the moon' with superstar stayer Kyprios as trainer raises possibility of Arc run this season 

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